Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Alden Pyle

For an antagonist, Pyle is a much more likeable dude than Thomas Fowler. Pyle is sincere and kind, honest and caring. He really does want to do good in the world and help bring peace to Vietnam. He's willing to risk his own life in the effort. His flaw is his innocence. He can't see the world as it really is. Consequently, he can't see the harm that his, um, arming a ruthless terrorist will cause. When that harm comes, he can't take moral responsibility for it because he perceives it as something that will work toward the good. As Emperor Palpatine of Star Wars would say, he pays the price for his lack of vision.